Glycerol suppositories are used to treat constipation. They are for rectal use only - this means that they are inserted into the rectum (back passage).

Glycerol is a mild irritant which increases the frequency of bowel movement by stimulating the bowel muscles to contract. These contractions help to move stools along and makes passing them out of the body much easier.

Soft soap is employed in the preparation of various liniments, its solution in dilute alcohol forming a suitable lubricant for rubbing sprains and bruises. A strong solution in alcohol (2 parts in 3) is much used as a liquid shampoo to cleanse the scalp previous to the application of antiseptic lotions. Such a solution is also employed by surgeons to cleanse the skin, or an ethereal solution of soft soap may be used. Soft soap is used to remove incrustations in chronic, scaly, skin diseases, such as psoriasis. A solution (1 in 30 to 40 of warm water) is employed as a rectal enema to remove impacted faeces.